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Fundamentals of Strategic Communication

Code 17469
Year 1
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload TP(45H)
Scientific area Communication Sciences
Entry requirements N/A
Learning outcomes The learning objectives consist of:
1. Know the scientific fields that underpin the discipline of strategic communication and to define this discipline;
2. Know the main paradigms that structure strategic communication research and practice;
3. Know the theories of communication and media effects that underpin the field of strategic communication;
4. Understand how contemporary social theories influence the study of strategic communication; and
5. Develop and strengthen critical analysis skills within the field of strategic communication.
Syllabus 1. Introduction to the field of strategic communication
1.1 Genesis and definitions
1.2 Strategic communication and communication theories
1.3 Strategic communication as a scientific field
1.4 Levels of strategic communication management

2. Main paradigms of strategic communication
2.1 PR and Propaganda
2.2 Organisational Communication
2.3 Marketing Communication and Branding
2.4 Risk and Crisis Communication

3. Theories of communication and media effects
3.1 Agenda-setting
3.2 Framing
3.3 Uses and gratifications
3.4 Spiral of silence
3.5 Two-step flow

4. Strategic discourse, rhetoric and argumentation
4.1 Rhetoric and Communication
4.2 Argumentation

5. Social theories and strategic communication
5.1 Dewey, public space and publics
5.2 Habermas, the public sphere and communicative action
5.3 Castells, and the network society
Main Bibliography Cornelissen, J. (2016). Corporate Communications. Sage.
Deetz, S. (2010). Comunicação Organizacional: fundamentos e desafios. In M. Marchiori (Org.), Comunicação e organização (pp. 83-101). Difusão.
Falkheimer, J. & Heide, M. (2023). Strategic Communication. An Introduction to Theory and Global Practice. Routledge.
Hallahan, K., Holtzhausen, D., van Ruler, B., Vercic, D. & Sriramesh, K. (2007). Defining Strategic Communication. International Journal of Strategic Communication (1): 3-35.
Ihlen, O. & Fredriksson, M. (Ed) (2019). Public Relations and Social Theory Key Figures, Concepts and Development. Routledge.
Mateus, S. (2018). Introdução à retórica no Século XXI. LabCom.
van Ruler, B. (2018). Communication Theory: An Underrated Pillar on Which Strategic Communication Rests. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 12(4), 367–381.
Veríssimo, J. (2021). A publicidade e os cânones retóricos: Da estratégia à criatividade. LabCom.
Weston, A. (1996). A arte de argumentar. Gradiva.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria Students will be assessed on the basis of three assignments. The first assignment (Assesment A - 25%) will consist of a group activity involving a review of a reference book in the field of strategic communication. The second assignment (Assesment B - 25%), also in groups, will consist of a classroom theoretical seminar of two classic communication theories used in strategic communication research. The third assignment (Assesment C - 50%), individual, will consist of developing a research project based on one or more of the theoretical paradigms studied in class. All assignments will be presented and debated in class.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2025-09-08

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